Elkerton, in looking about for the happy woman who was worthy the exalted situation of being his wife, had yet seen none whom he thought so likely to succeed to that honour as Miss Mowbray; and if she was, on enquiry, found to be as she was represented, (related to Lord Montreville) it would be so great an additional advantage, that he determined in that case to lay himself and his pied horses, his house in Kent, his library, and his fortune, all at her feet immediately. Nor did he once suffer himself to suspect that there was a woman on earth who could withstand such a torrent of good fortune. In pursuance therefore of this resolution, he determined to make enquiry of Lord Montreville himself; of whom he had just known so much at Naples as to receive cards of invitation to Lady Montreville's _conversationes_. There, he mingled with the croud; and was slightly noticed as an Englishman of fortune; smiled at for his affectation of company and manners, which seemed foreign to his original line of life; and then forgotten. But Elkerton conceived this to be more than introduction enough; and dressing himself in what he thought _un disabille la plus imposante_, and with his servants in their morning liveries, he stopped at the door of Lord Montreville. 'Lord Montreville was not at home.' 'When was he expected?' 'It was uncertain: his Lordship was at Audley-hall, and might be in town in a fortnight; or might not come up till the meeting of Parliament.' 'And are all the family there?' enquired Elkerton of the porter. 'No, Sir; Mr. Delamere is in town.' 'And when can I see Mr. Delamere?' The porter could not tell, as he did not live in Berkley-square. 'Where, then, is he?' 'At lodgings in Pall-Mall:' (for Delamere had left his direction with his father's servants.) Elkerton therefore took the address with a pencil; and determined, without farther reflection, to drive thither. It was about four o'clock, and in the middle of November, when Delamere had just returned to his lodgings, to dress before he met his foreign friend, and some other young men, to dine at a tavern in St. James's-street, when a loud rap at the door announced a visitor. Millefleur having no orders to the contrary, and being dazzled with the splendour of Elkerton's equipage, let him in; and he was humming an Italian air out of tune, in Delamere's drawing-room, when the latter came out in his dressing-gown and slippers to receive him. Delamere, on seeing the very odd figure and baboonish face of Elkerton, instead of that of somebody he knew, stopped short and made a grave bow. Elkerton advancing towards him, bowed also profoundly, and said, 'I am charmed, Sir, with being permitted the honour of paying you my devoirs.'